Sr. Research Administrator - Neal Cancer Center

At Houston Methodist, the Senior Research Administrator serves in the capacity commonly referred to at NCI-designated and NCI-aspiring cancer centers as the Associate Director for Administration (ADA). As a senior administrative leader of the Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center (HMNCC) Executive Committee, the Sr. Research Administrator partners closely with the Cancer Center Director, Associate Directors, research and clinical leadership, and institutional leaders to translate the Cancer Center's strategic vision into coordinated operational execution.

The role provides oversight of the administrative and operational functions supporting the Cancer Center's research, clinical investigation, education and training, and community outreach missions, ensuring alignment of infrastructure, resources, personnel, and processes across these areas. The Sr. Research Administrator is accountable for advancing strategic initiatives, monitoring performance against established goals and metrics, addressing operational barriers, and building the organizational infrastructure and administrative capacity necessary to support scientific growth, multidisciplinary collaboration, clinical research expansion, community impact, and progress toward National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation.

At Houston Methodist, the Sr Research Administrator position is responsible for serving as the administrative leader for the day-to-day operations of research conducted within the Department and is responsible for its strategic management and coordination and includes assisting the Department Chair with recruitment and management of faculty, research and administrative staff, as well as visitors. This position oversees both laboratory and clinical-based research and coordinates fiscal activities with an annual operating budget over $10 million, ensuring compliance with Houston Methodist policies.

The Sr Research Administrator position is responsible for the financial management of internally and externally supported budgets. This position also performs administrative duties required for direct supervision of functional groups and administrative support staff and provides leadership and direction to Department managers and staff, as appropriate. The Director position responsibilities include overseeing the activities of the department staff, ensuring quality, productivity, functional excellence and efficiency to accomplish strategic and operational objectives.

In addition, this position is accountable for employee engagement, adequate staffing levels, budget development and compliance, staffing decisions such as hiring and terminating employment, coaching and counseling employees on work related performance, and developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure a safe and effective work environment. This position also ensures training, monitoring and operations initiatives are implemented which secure compliance with ethical and legal business practices and accreditation/regulatory/government regulations.

 FLSA STATUS Exempt QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Health or Health Administration preferred EXPERIENCE Seven years’ research administration and program management experience, preferably in a recognized university/research institute setting, with five years in a people management role – for internal candidates Ten years’ research administration and program management experience, preferably in a recognized university/research institute setting, with seven years in a people management role – for external candidates SKILLS AND ABILITIES Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially about activities impa